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Exuberant
Folk Art Painting
America, ca. 1840–1860.
Oil on canvas
Strong and unusual American folk art still life from the period of American Fancy. The composition centers on a floating arrangement of fruit, including a prominent pineapple, a symbol of luxury and hospitality. A bird in flight and highly stylized branchwork add movement and visual interest. The branches take on a suggestive, almost zoomorphic character. Bold color and a confident, folk-painted surface throughout.
American Fancy was a cultural, decorative, and artistic movement that celebrated imaginative, colorful, and bold design, reflecting the youthful optimism of the new nation. It marked a shift away from restrained neoclassical styles toward artistic exuberance, delighting in whim, surprise, and sensory experience, and was driven by the era's fascination with imagination.
Relined with new stretcher. Scattered inpainting. Housed in a very good period ripple frame. Frame size approximately 27 ½ x 21 ¼ inches. Signed lower right “C.F. Miller”.
Purchased September 15, 1979, from Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, lot 30.
Important provenance available upon request. .
Classic Painted
Hanging Basket
.....SOLD
Probably Northeast
Woodlands Indian, ca. 1840–1880.
Wood splint, likely ash, retaining its original light blue-to-gray paint, the perceived hue shifting subtly depending upon lighting.
The weaving is executed in three distinct patterns: on the back, surrounding the pouch, and at the bottom, demonstrating thoughtful variation in structural design. Distinctive decorative “curlicues” finish the upper edges.
The back slopes gently backward so that when the basket is hung vertically the pouch angles forward for easy access. The pocket front is attractively curved, projecting outward at the center to create a pleasing sculptural form.
Excellent condition. Approximately 14 inches tall x 9¼ wide x 5½ deep. From a long-time Northeast collection. This is a good one: the interplay between historic painted surface and graceful form is especially pleasing.
Paint Decorated
'White Star'
Militia Canteen
New England, probably New Hampshire or Massachusetts, ca. 1800-1825.
Super bone-dry surface in original blue paint centered by a white star. The white star on blue ground likely represents the militia unit for which the canteen was decorated (reflecting the strong pride of the members to be part of this militia).
Thick walled, very stoutly made from what appears to be pine and ash. Although this canteen remains very solid, several places sustained damage in use at the interface with the back or bottom.
About 7 ¾ inches diameter x 2 ¼ tall.
Boldly
Chip-Carved Box
Probably Northeast, ca. late 19th century.
Softwood retaining a highly patinated brown pigmented varnish. Geometric carving on the lid, front, and sides, as deeply sculpted as one will find. Bracket base. The name “Carmella” is written under the lid.
About 12 inches long x 5 deep x 5 tall. Excellent condition.
Provenance: Over 25 years in a Northeast collection. Pictured insitu in Antiques and Fine Art Magazine, Summer, 2013 (a photo of its posting included).
Boldly Carved
and Painted Box
Dated 1751
....SOLD
Probably Scandinavia, possibly Germanic, dated 1751.
Until recently in a lifetime Pennsylvania collection. Original polychrome paint on softwood with arched lid, carved on all sides with geometric and floral rosettes, compass-drawn roundels, and chip-carved borders. Original polychrome paint decoration in ochre, mustard, red, dark green, and black
The depth and coverage of the carving is remarkable.
Likely made as a valuables or spice box, possibly a wedding or betrothal gift, reflecting the Scandinavian tradition of symbolic geometric carving and painted ornament.
About 10 inches long x 4 ¾ tall x 5 ¼ deep. Exceptional structural condition with surface wear consistent with period use. Joinery by large wooden pegs, retaining original snipe hinges. Red painted interior retains a small till. .
Scarce “Windsor”
Tabletop/Desktop
Candle Stand
.....SOLD
Probably New England, ca late 18th century. Appears to be maple.
Very dry, never varnished, with deep rich natural nut-brown patina that takes ages to build on hard, closed-pore maple. The cut screw-threads of the column allow its baluster-form candle arm to be raised and lowered to change the height of the flames. The candle arm still fits crisply on the threaded column.
The base form, with lathe-turned “Windsor” legs, is scarce on a tabletop stand (only the second that I have ever offered). The broad stance of the legs gives the stand exceptional stability, very difficult to tip over, yet lightweight and easy to move. The bottom of the column has a drop finial, a feature often seen on early floor candlestands.
Take a close look at the design. Form, not just function, was very important to this maker. The form is probably why this stand has been so well cared for and survived for over two centuries.
Excellent condition. Stands about 18 inches tall. Each leg splays about 7 inches from the lower column. The candle arm is about 12 inches. Two candles, which may be early, are included. A special example of early American lighting. .
Rare Firkin
POW’D SUGAR
.....SOLD
Northeast, ca. mid 19th century.
This very dry white-painted firkin is elevated considerably in appeal and rarity by the painted POW’D SUGAR label. Look closely to see that the hyphen is positioned below the letter D, and a period is placed after the letter R, the post-word period is often seen in earlier 19th century trades signs and labeled boxes.
Cooper made with staved construction, bands held by copper nails. This is the first powdered sugar labeled box or firkin I have seen in person or in reference.
The firkin presents as a lovely soft and quiet piece, very appealing alone, yet the label adds considerably to the interest and aesthetics.
About 11 ¼ inches tall. Very good condition with period paint wear and an ancient loss to one of the bands on the bottom back.
Provenance includes Jan Whitlock, and a superb private Northeast collection.
Unique Candle Box
with Side Sconce
.....SOLD
New England, ca. early 19th century. With two centuries of untouched character.
Original very dry and patinated sage-green/gray paint on pine, with rich natural patina on the unpainted area. I’ve never seen this form before. A sliding lid candle box is mounted, via nailed on backboard and bottom board, to a side extension to hold a sconce or candlestick. The box retains an early and scarce little tin sconce that fits perfectly.
Lightweight and intended to hang (the hanger has been lost) or rest on a horizontal surface. Small size at just 10 ¼ inches tall x 8 ¾ wide x 3 ¼ deep.
Early Painted
Tabletop Lighting Stand.
Rare Octagonal Base
.....SOLD
New England, ca. 18th century.
Skillfully turned from what appears to be chestnut, retaining the original very dry brown paint, the color presenting as reddish-brown in sunlight. The design features a rare form-slightly domed-octagonal base-the facets with “lambs tongue” crests. The base supports a baluster-turned lower section leading to hand-cut threads to allow raising and lowering the candle arm. The two-light candle arm echoes the baluster-turning on the column. Interesting to note that the figure (rings) of the wood are remarkably tight together due to the wood being from an old-growth tree having grown very slowly.
At just 21 inches tall, this lighting stand was not for the floor, rather would have been carried from room to room and placed on a table or chest. Terrific condition. Provenance includes Sam Forsythe and a private Midwest collection.